Seventy-five percent of mental health problems begin before the age of 25 years, 50% between 12 and 25 years. (Transformational Research in Adolescent Mental Health, Canada, 2018)

Ninety-three percent of Canadian youth reside in our public schools and we must reach them now.

Stand UP for Student Well Being is a Not For Profit corporation (Ontario charitable status pending)* empowering youth to be kind, inclusive, resilient, confident and mentally healthy. Our engaging and inclusive program model injects fun into learning in classrooms, camps and other youth communities while skill building around inclusive social skills, mental wellness, positivity and kindness. There has never been a more important time in Ontario for our work – young people today need help and support in effectively managing stress and developing a mindfulness around their mental well-being. We support youth in turning their problems into humour and developing positive social skills. Participants also enhance their literacy skills by shaping their own stories in a unique stand up comedy format. (* – charitable status applied for in April 2018)

We cannot wait. The economic cost of mental illnesses in Canada for the health care system is estimated to be at least $7.9 billion (Canadian Mental Health Association, 2018), and the costs continue to rise.

More than 1600 youth in 4 different Ontario school boards have benefited from our unique, one of a kind model with extremely positive feedback.

Trained comedian coaches work collaboratively with educators and youth leaders delivering full day and 6 week programs that effectively identify and bring awareness to social issues and student struggles. Feedback from educators has been tremendous confirming that students enjoy this FUN delivery model that elicits effective and meaningful discussions, problem solving and follow ups regarding social challenges and mental well-being. Our comedian coaches are personally trained by our team.

“This program has helped me understand that being different is not a bad thing. It has taught me that I should not be ashamed of my flaws but to embrace them with laughter.” -Student, from a post program survey

Up to 70 percent of mental health problems begin in childhood or adolescence. As many as one in five people in Ontario between the ages of four and 16 experience some form of mental health problem(Child and Mental Health and Addictions in Ontario, MHASEF – ICES 2015)

“This program has also helped me to make jokes that are funny but also appropriate and kind.” -Student, from a post program survey

“[This program] has been a great success over the last 3 years at North Kipling JMS. [It] created an innovative format using stand up comedy in our grade 7 classrooms to meet literacy and mental health expectations. The teachers and students loved the class visits and culminating Comedy Showcase.” -Alex Tracey, Principal, North Kipling Junior Middle School, Toronto District School Board

“My son Ryan Doyle participated in your program at St. Michael Catholic School in Belleville, ON, and in short, it was a Godsend for him. You should know you’ve had a huge impact on his life! I never saw him enjoy school the way he did during the time you were teaching him. The days that you were there were the days he set his alarm to be up early and ready to go. He worked at his comedy like it was a full time job. Thank you for awakening that in him!” -Amy Doyle, Parent

“[This program] has been a great success over the last 3 years at North Kipling JMS. [It] created an innovative format using stand up comedy in our grade 7 classrooms to meet literacy and mental health expectations. The teachers and students loved the class visits and culminating Comedy Showcase.” -Alex Tracey, Principal, North Kipling Junior Middle School, Toronto District School Board

“[This program] is an opportunity for teachers to understand and appreciate their students better. When a student shares personal experiences and talks about their emotions openly during this project, the teacher can better assess that student’s needs and strengths going forward.” -Kita Szpak, Project Researcher and Teacher

“The issues brought up by these students belonged to them and that part of this process was to be comfortable with who you are and laugh at yourself and your situations.” -Kathleen Robson, Teacher, General Brock Public School